What is the Information Technology& Advanced Manufacturing Linkages Project?

This project supported by Employment & Social Development Canada, hosted by Indigenous Works, assists to connect industry, educators, Indigenous employment, and other agencies & service providers to increase and accelerate the career opportunities for Indigenous talent into the IT & Advanced Manufacturing sectors of Southern Ontario. The project shares labour-market information, facilitates conversations to identify workforce development needs & opportunities, and works with stake holders to support partnership connections that lead towards new solutions that support career pathing and recruitment for Indigenous talent.

At this event… you will have the opportunity to learn, network & connect

Be introduced to innovative labour-market partnerships, educational approaches, and training solutions in the sector, designed to help employers meet their needs & support the development of Indigenous talent.

Learn more about programs and services available to your company/organization to help you train, recruit and hire Indigenous peoples.

Network and have the opportunity to share your insights and experience to ensure that human resource needs of the industry and the Indigenous workforce are better understood so new programs, hiring strategies and career opportunities are developed in more strategic and meaningful ways.

The Labour Market Need is Clear

The Ottawa region is an anchor of the economy and workforce of the Information Technology & Advanced Manufacturing industries. The labour-market potential is growing and there will be need for a variety of talent.

In the publication ‘The Innovation and Competitiveness Imperative: Seizing Opportunities for Growth, The Report on Canada’s Economic Strategy Tables: Advanced Manufacturing ’it stated that the sector employs 1.7 million people or 10% of the Canadian workforce, paying workers more in total compensation than any other sector at $114 billion and generates 42% of all private-sector research and development activity.

“In 2017, there were 1,441,900 professionals employed in the digital economy.” and “According to ICTC’s (Information and Communication Technology Council) economic modelling, Canada’s digital economy is predicted to continue to grow significantly over the next five years. ICTC forecasts that by 2021, employment in Canada’s digital economy will reach 1,637,000 jobs, creating approximately 216,000 new vacancies which will need to be filled with qualified digital talent.” (The Digital Talent Dividend: Shifting Gears in A Changing Economy, report by the Information and Communication Technology Council ICTC)

As of the 2016 Census, the Indigenous population in Canada comprises about 4.9% of the overall Canadian population, or 1.6 million people, with Ontario being home to more than 300,000 Indigenous peoples. This workforce has been steadily rising in education and entrepreneurship attainments. With a median age of 32 years, the Indigenous talent is a full decade younger than the median age of other Canadians, thus prime candidates to fill many workforce needs.

Who Should Attend & Why

As an Employer…Learn how to tap into the strategies and programs that can help you meet, train, hire and retain Indigenous talent. Meet with the agencies & educators who have the knowledge & experience of the programs, resources, and funding that is available.

As an Educator…Enhance your education and training programs by hearing directly from the industry on the growing needs and how you can collaborate with Indigenous agencies to support learners.

As an Indigenous Employment Agency or Indigenous Community Service…Connect with industry and educators to increase the awareness of your services and open conversations for workforce development.